Written Answers Nos. 207-222
207. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide, in tabular form, the numbers of persons, by payment, and by county, who, in January of each year from 2008 to 2015, were in receipt of illness benefit, disability allowance, the blind pension, injury benefit, disablement benefit, and-or invalidity pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28623/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is published annually by my Department in the “Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services” report. The reports for years 2008 to 2013 are available at www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Annual-Statistical-Information-Reports.aspx or through the Oireachtas library.
The information relating to the number of persons in receipt of Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance, Injury Benefit, Disablement Benefit and Invalidity pension by payment and county at the end of December 2014 is detailed in the attached tabular statement. Unfortunately as Blind Persons Pension is currently migrating to a new payment system statistics are not currently available for December 2014, but the total number of recipients in October 2014 was 1,351.
Scheme recipients by County at end December 2014
|
County |
Disability Allowance |
Illness Benefit |
Injury Benefit |
Invalidity Pension |
Disablement Benefit |
|
Carlow |
1,747 |
1,138 |
19 |
946 |
210 |
|
Cavan |
1,593 |
953 |
19 |
692 |
166 |
|
Clare |
2,708 |
1,123 |
20 |
1,143 |
288 |
|
Cork |
13,752 |
7,386 |
108 |
7,216 |
1,747 |
|
Donegal |
4,796 |
1,856 |
29 |
1,542 |
335 |
|
Dublin |
27,813 |
14,416 |
225 |
13,789 |
2,718 |
|
Galway |
6,403 |
2,387 |
36 |
1,970 |
548 |
|
Kerry |
4,241 |
1,622 |
42 |
1,524 |
331 |
|
Kildare |
3,701 |
2,641 |
47 |
2,211 |
444 |
|
Kilkenny |
2,146 |
951 |
20 |
951 |
252 |
|
Laois |
1,871 |
858 |
13 |
858 |
176 |
|
Leitrim |
791 |
473 |
5 |
458 |
99 |
|
Limerick |
5,825 |
2,834 |
42 |
3,174 |
772 |
|
Longford |
1,273 |
529 |
15 |
574 |
142 |
|
Louth |
3,013 |
2,260 |
34 |
1,805 |
448 |
|
Mayo |
3,674 |
1,518 |
18 |
1,392 |
313 |
|
Meath |
2,906 |
2,534 |
31 |
1,624 |
503 |
|
Monaghan |
1,304 |
780 |
15 |
538 |
156 |
|
Offaly |
1,899 |
1,028 |
11 |
1,100 |
220 |
|
Roscommon |
1,584 |
754 |
4 |
784 |
207 |
|
Sligo |
1,858 |
890 |
13 |
824 |
174 |
|
Tipperary |
5,040 |
1,863 |
50 |
2,134 |
568 |
|
Waterford |
3,020 |
1,509 |
18 |
1,552 |
416 |
|
Westmeath |
2,214 |
1,065 |
19 |
1,219 |
207 |
|
Wexford |
3,946 |
1,726 |
27 |
1,988 |
384 |
|
Wicklow |
2,970 |
1,597 |
19 |
1,399 |
298 |
|
Others |
9 |
333 |
7 |
816 |
171 |
|
Total |
112,097 |
57,024 |
906 |
54,223 |
12,293 |
208. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her plans regarding the proposals around a micro-lending scheme announced recently; the number of pilots schemes that are intended; and if they will be linked to an existing Money Advice and Budgeting Service and to the credit union network. [28644/15]
View answerA proposal for a new personal microcredit scheme in Ireland is currently being developed. The work is being carried out under the auspices of Citizens Information Board and the Social Finance Foundation and involves extensive engagement with a number of stakeholders including this Department, the Department of Finance, the Central Bank of Ireland, the Irish League of Credit Unions, the Credit Union Associations, an Post, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and some non-governmental organisations.
A preliminary outline of the scheme envisages a microloan facility, operated by Credit Unions, providing small loan amounts (initial loans circa €500), over an average term of 12 months with a monthly interest rate of approx. 1%.
When the proposal is agreed with key stakeholders, an implementation plan will be developed with a view to piloting the initiative with a number of participating Credit Unions. Credit Unions can self-nominate to be included in the pilot. It is expected that up to thirty Credit Unions will participate in the pilot scheme, each offering twenty to fifty personal microcredit loans. The outcomes and learning from the pilot will inform the development of a final model, prior to full roll-out.
209. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if, given the Lough payments that have been discontinued due to the passage of the replacement scheme that has been put in place, there has been any study completed of the effects of same. [28645/15]
View answerA number of Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) companies continue to facilitate their clients with a method of direct deductions from their social welfare payments for bill paying purposes, through historical arrangements put in place by Cork MABS and the Lough Credit Union (known as the Lough Payment Scheme), using the Household Budgeting facility operated by An Post.
As some of the creditors catered for by the Lough Payment Scheme fall outside those specified for the Household Budget facility, the local MABS companies involved are working with the remaining clients to explore alternative arrangements for paying their bills. Particular effort is being made to ensure that suitable alternative options are made available and that clients are fully supported through the transition to the alternative arrangement.
Separately, an initiative to develop a personal microcredit scheme in Ireland is currently under way. The work is being carried out under the auspices of Citizens Information Board and the Social Finance Foundation and involves extensive engagement with a number of stakeholders including this Department, the Department of Finance, the Central Bank of Ireland, the Irish League of Credit Unions, the Credit Union Associations, An Post, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and some non-governmental organisations.
A preliminary outline of the scheme envisages a personal microloan facility, operated by Credit Unions, providing small loan amounts (initial loan values circa €500), over an average term of 12 months, with a monthly interest rate of approx. 1%.
When the proposal is agreed with key stakeholders, an implementation plan will be developed with a view to piloting the initiative with a number of participating Credit Unions.
It is expected that up to thirty Credit Unions will participate in the pilot scheme, each offering twenty to fifty personal microcredit loans. The outcomes and learning from the pilot will inform the development of any final model prior to full roll-out.
211. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will arrange to have a disability allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, processed and approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28695/15]
View answerI confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 3 July 2015. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
212. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4; if it will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28696/15]
View answerThe Rents Unit in question have been awaiting the receipt of some requested documentation from the person concerned in support of his claim for rent supplement. This outstanding information has now been received and consequently his claim is currently being processed. He will receive notification of the decision on his application imminently.
213. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the options that are available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who was on a community employment scheme and would like to return to the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28702/15]
View answerThe person concerned, qualified for one year on CE. He finished on this CE project on 20 March 2015. He may become eligible to apply for CE again in March 2016, subject to his having been in receipt of a welfare payment for 12 months at that time.
A Case Officer will make contact with the client to discuss his further activation options.
214. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for a qualified adult allowance by persons (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28722/15]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of invalidity pension. An application for an increase for a qualified adult (IQA) was received on 02 July 2015. Entitlement to this increase is subject to a means test. Following an assessment, it has been decided that the person in question is entitled to a reduced rate IQA from 02 July 2015. Payment of the IQA, including arrears due from 02 July 2015, will issue to his nominated bank account on 17 July 2015. The person concerned was notified on 13 July 2015 of the decision to award IQA.
216. Deputy John Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [28744/15]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person in question on 9 March 2015. The application was referred to social welfare inspector to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied.
Once the inspector has completed and submitted the report, a deciding officer will make a decision on entitlement. The application will be processed as quickly as possible and when a decision is made the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
217. Deputy John Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application under the disability allowance scheme will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [28748/15]
View answerIn order to determine the circumstances of the person in question, his file was forwarded to his local Social Welfare Inspector (SWI). The SWI has issued an appointment request for a meeting to the person in question.
A final decision on his entitlement to disability allowance will be given on receipt of the SWI’s report. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
218. Deputy John Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a carer's allowance will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford. [28749/15]
View answerI confirm that the Department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 12 February 2015.
On 9 March 2015 the person concerned contacted the department and withdrew their application.
On 5 May 2015 the person concerned asked for the claim to be re-opened and undertook to submit further medical evidence in support of their application.
The application was awarded on 10 July 2015 and the first payment is due to issue shortly. Any arrears of allowance due from 7 May 2015 (less any overlapping social welfare payment and/or outstanding overpayment) will issue in due course. The person concerned will be notified in writing of this decision.
219. Deputy John Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for the delay in hearing an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford under the carer's allowance scheme. [28750/15]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 20 April 2015. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers have been received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 2 July 2015 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
220. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 1 July 2014, the number of persons, by administrative division and by age group, who are currently in receipt of a jobseeker's allowance, and who have not, to date, made any Pay Related Social Insurance contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28761/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not currently available in my Department.
221. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the yield from each of a 1%, 2% and 3% increase in employee pay related social insurance in the first year and full year. [28802/15]
View answer222. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the yield from each of a 1%, 2% and 3% increase in employer pay related social insurance in the first year and in a full year. [28803/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together.
On the basis of the most up to date figures available, the table shows the estimated yield for each of a 1%, 2% and 3% in increase in class A employee and employer PRSI in the first year and a full year.
|
Class A Employee PRSI Yield |
Class A Employer PRSI Yield |
|||
|
Rate increase |
First Year |
Full Year |
First Year |
Full Year |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
1% |
487.5 |
573.5 |
511.8 |
602.1 |
|
2% |
975.0 |
1147.0 |
1023.6 |
1204.2 |
|
3% |
1462.5 |
1720.5 |
1535.4 |
1806.3 |
First year yields are a function of the chosen implementation date of PRSI changes in 2016. If implemented from January, it is estimated that 85% of the full year estimate is realised in the first year.
